6 Easy No Bake Dessert Recipes You Have to Try

Have you ever tried a raw dessert? If you’re unfamiliar, a raw dessert, also referred to as a no bake dessert, is one that has not been baked or cooked, or even heated above 118 degrees Fahrenheit. Raw desserts are popular among those looking for a healthier fix for their sweet tooth, or those who want to avoid certain food groups. According to Vitality by Jenni, raw desserts are often devoid of two allergenic components, gluten and dairy, and they can also be healthier than traditional desserts due to their not being baked or cooked, so the nutrients haven’t been processed out. That makes it easier for our body to recognize whole foods and process and absorb the nutrients effectively.

Raw desserts aren’t for everyone, and typically take some getting used to, as they’re generally much less sugary than traditional treats; however, when done right, the desserts can taste quite good. Now is the perfect time to give raw desserts a try using any of the 6 recipes we’re highlighting here.

1. Two-Layer Raw Brownies

Brownies | Source: iStock

We’re starting it off with a bang with these two-layer raw brownies from Oh She Glows. You can have your brownies and eat healthy, too, because these are only made up of natural ingredients including hemp seeds, Medjool dates, walnuts, cacao powder, vanilla, and sea salt. Sugar, flour, and butter are noticeably absent in this food formula, but surprisingly enough, you probably won’t even taste the difference. That’s the beauty of natural sugars. Get your food processor out and get ready to serve up some raw, rich brownies with a gooey dough and a pure chocolate topping.

Ingredients:

1 cup raw walnut pieces

½ cup hulled hemp seeds

1½ cups pitted Medjool dates

½ cup raw cacao powder or Dutch-processed cocoa powder

1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon pink Himalayan salt or fine grain sea salt

2 heaping tablespoons raw cacao nibs

¼ heaping cup raw walnut pieces

Chocolate topping

½ cup virgin coconut oil

½ cup raw cacao powder or Dutch-processed cocoa powder

¼ cup pure maple syrup

Small pinch pink Himalayan sea salt

¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions: Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, one piece going each way. In a food processor, process the walnuts into a fine crumb. Add the hemp seeds and the pitted dates and process until finely chopped and sticky. Add the cacao powder, vanilla, and pink salt and process until thoroughly combined. Stir or pulse in the nibs and chopped walnuts until just combined. Evenly press the mixture into prepared square pan until smooth. Place in the freezer for about 10 minutes.

For the chocolate topping, melt the coconut oil over low heat in a medium pot. Remove from heat and whisk in the cacao powder, syrup, salt, and vanilla until combined and smooth. Remove the brownies from the freezer and pour on the chocolate topping. Spread out evenly. Carefully transfer the pan to the freezer on a flat, even surface. Chill for at least 20 minutes, or until the topping is firm enough to slice.

2. Raw Cheesecake

Raw cheesecake | Source: iStock

Raw cheesecake from Chocolate Covered Katie is next. Skip the heavy cream and cheese and instead go for a more figure-friendly combination of cashews, coconut oil, and maple syrup with this recipe. Requiring only 7 ingredients, this cheesecake is the perfect raw dessert for beginner foodists. As long as you give yourself enough time to let the cashews soak and the cake set, you can be in and out of the kitchen with this dessert prep in minutes. All it takes is a little food processing and a little patience.

Ingredients:

2½ cups raw cashews or macadamia nuts

1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste

½ cup pure maple syrup or raw agave

¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon melted virgin coconut oil

½ cup lemon juice

¼ cup water

⅛ tsp salt

Directions: In a bowl, cover the cashews with water and let soak 8 hours or overnight. Drain and pat completely dry. Combine all ingredients (including the ¼ cup water) in a food processor or blender and process for 6 to 7 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides. Pour into a prepared crust, then cover and freeze until ready to use. Store the raw cheesecake in the freezer for up to 2 weeks, and thaw 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

3. Raw Carrot Cake with Cashew Vanilla Frosting

Carrot cake | Source: iStock

Here’s another recipe from Gimme Some Oven that proves that traditional desserts can easily be made raw, and may even taste better that way. Carrot cake is a special favorite for many, and this dessert recipe allows you to indulge without worrying about unnatural ingredients and their accompanying calories. Three whole cups of shredded carrots are found in this cake formula, along with dates, walnuts, coconut, and spices. All natural, all good. And if you’re feeling frisky, whip up Ali’s raw frosting as well. It’s one topping you can feel good about.

Ingredients:

3 cups shredded carrots

1 cup pitted dates

1 cup raw walnuts

⅔ cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground ginger

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

pinch of salt

½ cup raisins (optional)

Frosting

2 cups raw cashews, soaked overnight

⅔ cup coconut oil, melted

⅓ cup water

⅓ cup honey

2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Pinch of salt

Directions: For cake:Pulse together all ingredients in a food processor until well-blended. Press mixture into a mini cheesecake pan, mini 4-inch springform pans, an 8-inch springform pan, or just a simple 8-inch baking pan.

For frosting: Pulse all ingredients together in a food processor until blended. Add extra water to thin to your desired consistency if needed.

4. Raw Banana Cream Pie

Banana cream pie | Source: iStock

Next up: raw banana cream pie from The Rawtarian. Bananas and dates are the two main fruits in this recipe. Cashews, coconut, and honey also play starring roles. This cream pie will take only 10 minutes to prepare, and then it’s off to the freezer to set until you’re ready to eat. Who knew eating raw could taste so sweet?

Ingredients:

1 cup cashews

1 cup dried, unsweetened coconut

½ cup dates

¼ teaspoon sea salt

Filling

2 medium bananas

¾ cup cashews

¼ cup honey

¼ cup lemon juice

⅓ cup coconut oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

⅛ teaspoon sea salt

Directions: Place all crust ingredients in the food processor. Process until the mixture sticks together and the dates are well processed. Dump crust mixture into your pie crust/glass dish. Press the crust down firmly in your dish with your hands.

Add all banana filling ingredients to your blender. Blend until creamy and smooth. Pour banana cream filling onto the crust. Smooth out with the back of a spoon. Cover and throw in freezer. Ideally should be frozen overnight to firm up so that it can be sliced easily.

5. Key Lime Pie Bars

Limes | Source: iStock

These key lime pie bars from Cake Merchant are not only raw, they’re also vegan, and will satisfy even the most health-conscious, animal-product-abstaining eaters in your household. Give them a go and see if they’re worthy to star on your menu.

Ingredients:

1 cup nuts

1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

½ cup dates, soaked in warm water for about 10 minutes and drained

Pinch of salt

1 to 2 teaspoons coconut oil, as needed

For the Filling

1 cup young coconut meat

1 cup young coconut water

¼ cup key lime juice

About ½ small ripe avocado

½ cup raw agave nectar

½ cup coconut oil

1½ teaspoons soy lecithin granules

Key lime zest as needed

Directions: Line an 8-by-8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on 2 sides for easy removal. Blend the macadamia nuts in a food processor until crumbly and you get a meal. Add the coconut, dates, and salt, and blend until the mixture comes together. If it’s too dry, add some coconut oil, 1 teaspoon at a time and pulse until it holds together. Press the mixture into the pan and set aside.

For the Filling: In a high powered blender, blend the young coconut meat, young coconut water, key lime juice, avocado, and agave nectar until smooth. Add the coconut oil and lecithin and blend for an additional minute until smooth. Add lime zest a little bit at a time. Pour the mixture into the pan and let set in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Cut into squares and serve cold.

6. Raw Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookie dough | Source: iStock

Last but not least: raw chocolate chip cookies from Oatmeal With a Fork. Cookie dough lovers, this is for you. You can finally eat your dough raw without worrying about salmonella or a serious stomachache. This recipe yields just 6 cookies, leaving you with just the right amount of sweet treats, and it requires only 7 ingredients. They’re the perfect way to tame your sweet tooth without totaling your diet.

Ingredients:

½ cup raw cashews, ground into flour

½ cup oats, ground into flour

1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons maple syrup

2 tablespoons coconut oil

⅛ teaspoon sea salt

¾ teaspoon vanilla

3 tablespoons chocolate chips

Directions: Stir all of the ingredients together until well-combined. Form six cookies. Place on a wax paper-lined plate and freeze or refrigerate until set.